Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have evidence that... that we can really make a difference in 10 years.
• But we've also collected the largest collection, somebody mentioned neurologists, we have a the largest
• or over collected does not mean the legislature necessarily has a blank check.
• I know you earned some money on it, but. that it was collected through taxes.
• and it will collect and work with the surgical smoke issue.

Bills: HB5 , HJR3 , HB155 , HB513 , HB5 , HB155

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: dementia, research, health care, Texas Institute, grants, medical breakthroughs, oversight, prevention, funding, healthcare, Texas, autopsy, confidentiality, public records, medical examiner, law enforcement, HB 513, surgical smoke, surgical plume, smoke evacuation

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorney General has 30 days from the day that the legislative privilege is asserted to provide evidence
• So to me, it gives 30 days from the date the legislative privilege is asserted to provide evidence of
• The provision of evidence that representation honored before a date establishes the Attorney General's
• They have to do this, and then they have to provide the evidence, and then the court rules.
• It just requires that anyone collecting signatures from either 10,000 or 10%.

Bills: SCR46 , SB31 , SB39 , SB227 , SB330 , SB401 , SB407 , SB467 , SB482 , SB500 , SB506 , SB512 , SB527 , SB584 , SB619 , SB636 , SB646 , SB647 , SB648 , SB659 , SB663 , SB715 , SB732 , SB758 , SB801 , SB816 , SB847 , SB870 , SB884 , SB1020 , SB1055 , SB1065 , SB1137 , SB1169 , SB1181 , SB1283 , SB1383 , SB1395 , SB1410 , SB1433 , SB1490 , SB1558 , SB1574 , SB1626 , SB1666 , SB1718 , SB1727 , SB1756 , SB1757 , SB1845 , SB1924 , SB1964 , SB1972 , SB2018 , SB2031 , SB2075 , SB2076 , SB2080 , SB2111 , SB2117 , SB2154 , SB2161 , SB2173 , SB2206 , SB2225 , SB2253 , SB2268 , SB2314 , SB2322 , SB2351 , SB2371 , SB2476 , SB2533 , SB2540 , SB2570 , SB2589 , SB2623 , SB2658 , SB2660 , SB2692 , SB2693 , SB2717 , SB2722 , SB2753 , SB2779 , SB2877 , SB2880 , SB2900 , SB2920 , SB3031 , HJR4 , SB5 , SB260 , SB1786 , SJR3 , SJR18 , SB1 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR84 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR46 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1026 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB619 , SB1122 , SB732 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB529 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1924 , SB2253 , SB2018 , SB2206 , SB584 , SB1085 , SB1490 , SB2314 , SB2046 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB1524 , SB1137 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB1558 , SB884 , SB227 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1410 , SB1626 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2681 , SB2200 , SB2199 , SB1757 , SB2050 , SB2458 , SB2201 , SB1055 , SB2660 , SB2662 , SB1065 , SB801 , SB2533 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB648 , SB647 , SB512 , SB1721 , SB2268 , SB2366 , SB1013 , SB2692 , SB2570 , SB2797 , SB2111 , SB2371 , SB2383 , SB646 , SB1169 , SB1754 , SB1718 , SB2779 , SB2004 , SB1756 , SB2119 , SB527 , SB2322 , SB2448 , SB1777 , SB1283 , SB407 , SB2392 , SB2076 , SB2786 , SB3031 , SB2877 , SB2876 , SB2284 , SB2225 , SB1540 , SB2920 , SB2929 , SB1395 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB2742 , SB2595 , SB2217 , SB2117 , SB715 , SB2330 , SB1964 , SB1383 , SB500 , SB1640 , SB2001 , SB2080 , SB2722 , SB506 , SB2514 , SB2623 , SB2658 , SB1574 , SB2900 , SB2753 , SB2398 , SB401 , SB1241 , SB2927 , SB2173 , SB2538 , SB898 , SB467 , SB1449 , SB2529 , SB1531 , SB2846 , SB2476 , SB2031 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB2075 , SB2154 , SB2864 , SB31 , SB2880 , SB1359 , SB2386 , SB771 , SB2844 , SB2550 , SB1351 , SB1423 , SB1931 , SB2245 , SB2589 , SB2707 , SB2807 , SB2351 , SB410 , SB659 , SB816 , SB2776 , SB2693 , SB2580 , SB1980 , SB1886 , SB1234 , SB739 , SB482 , SB456 , SB127 , SB1666 , SB2843 , SB2801 , SB800 , SB2055 , SB784 , SB2986 , SB735 , SB1012 , SB324 , SB2926 , SB2938 , SB2007 , SB2138 , SB1242 , HJR4 , HB135 , HB1109 , SCR30 , SCR3 , SB2615 , SB1049 , SB2310 , SB1224 , SB2972 , SB1568 , SB2841 , SB2885 , SB3016 , SB2858 , SB2610 , SB2139 , SB1856 , SB2035 , SB2308 , SB2306 , SB2041 , SB1528 , SB1681 , SB1141 , SB2401 , SB2530 , SB2375 , SB547 , SB1266 , SB1373 , SB1467 , SB2069 , SB2269 , SB2480 , SB2544 , SB672 , SB904 , SB2695 , SB2891 , SB2422 , SB2543 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2539 , SB2532 , SB2925 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB457 , SB2357 , HCR35 , HCR64

Keywords: Texas beef, cattle industry, agricultural heritage, Texas strip steak, economic growth, SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> years or so where we'll be collecting years or so where we'll be collecting that<00:21:22.080><c
• </c><01:57:04.360><c> for</c> newborn and there's clear evidence for newborn and there's clear evidence
• He's going to go collect unemployment.
• <04:45:59.320><c> he</c><04:45:59.480><c> collects</c> unemployment and when he collects unemployment
• There comes a point where evidence is truly overwhelming and hard to ignore.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• His professionalism and dedication were evident every day, and he quickly became a trusted and valued
• We can't have volunteers collecting ballots.
• We had evidence from a report. We could have taken the time. We had evidence from a report.
• And truthfully, based on the evidence, the actual number is fewer than what's being reported.
• Senators, it is our collective diversity... ...that make us so great as the Florida Senate.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing interns, pages, a retiring sergeant-at-arms employee, and advocates visiting for a Prader-Willi Syndrome awareness resolution. Leaders also noted ongoing budget talks with the House and said senators should not plan to be in next week while negotiations continue. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for House Bill 12.5, a citizen-initiative elections bill. Sponsors said it was intended to address petition fraud and protect the integrity of the constitutional amendment process, citing investigations, arrests, and fraudulent petition activity tied to recent initiatives. Opponents argued the bill would make it much harder and more expensive for citizens to place amendments on the ballot, chill volunteer participation, and effectively favor wealthy or corporate interests. After extensive debate, the bill passed 28-10. The Senate then moved through a series of education bills, including measures on Bright Futures, Gold Seal, Florida ABLE, dual enrollment, educator preparation, and broader education policy, all of which passed unanimously. After a recess, the chamber took up House messages and concurred in amendments to bills on stem cell therapy, student athlete ECGs, cardiac emergency response plans, and school safety. Those measures also passed with broad support, with the school safety bill drawing some questions about the Guardian program and child care facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• These include service technicians, remote support and delivery personnel, and data collection specialists
• However, the evidence has borne out that it is not, in fact, safer, so they have to exploit gaps in the
• We have provided video evidence that Tesla's running, using Full Self-Driving technology, Evidence that
• The evidence showed the car recognized a stop sign, recognized us as pedestrians, recognized the end
• Each day, there seems to be more reports and video evidence showing autonomous vehicles violating basic

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on autonomous vehicle technology in California, with the chair emphasizing that all panel testimony would be heard before public comment. The first panel included an industry representative from AVIA, a George Mason University professor, a Dawn Project representative, and a crash survivor. Testimony sharply divided between supporters who said AVs and driver-assist systems can reduce crashes and create jobs, and critics who argued that current systems are unreliable, rely on unsafe remote assistance, and are being deployed without enough transparency or accountability. Committee members questioned witnesses about safety data, the distinction between Level 2 and Level 4 systems, remote operations, liability, and whether California should adopt more uniform standards and stronger reporting requirements. The second panel focused on first responders and workers. A retired San Francisco Fire Department official described AVs blocking fire scenes, ambulances, and apparatus access, and said remote hotlines have been too slow to resolve incidents, urging a public-safety manual override for police, fire, and paramedics. A San Jose police deputy chief said law enforcement sees AV safety potential but needs clear authority, training, and standardized protocols to handle traffic violations and emergency interactions. A San Francisco rideshare driver described near-collisions, red-light violations, and congestion caused by robotaxis, calling for fines, permit suspensions, and better public access to incident data. A Teamsters representative criticized DMV’s proposed heavy-duty AV rules as too permissive, especially for 80,000-pound autonomous trucks, and argued for independent validation, operational limits, and legislative action if regulators do not act. In the final panel, DMV and CPUC officials described California’s existing AV regulatory framework and defended the state’s oversight. DMV said it has regulated AVs since 2014, has issued multiple rulemakings, and is now developing a fourth package that would expand reporting, strengthen enforcement, and require AVs to respond to emergency geo-fence messages and law enforcement direction. DMV also noted current permit counts and past suspensions and revocations, including Cruise and Pony.ai actions. CPUC began outlining its role in regulating passenger service for hire. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational only, and the committee chair indicated the testimony would inform future policy and legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the defense is able to put on mitigation evidence.
• And you can think of mitigation evidence. There were, you know, the Parkland shooter.
• So the defense is able to put on mitigation evidence.
• There was a lot of mitigation evidence in that case that convinced the jury.
• And most of these things will be collectively bargained back home.

Summary: The committee met and first reported favorably CS for SB 1782, which creates a new offense for dangerous excessive speeding, with support noted from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida PBA. It also reported favorably CS for SB 306, which addresses Medicaid managed care provider network access by requiring after-hours and holiday appointment availability and a minimum level of primary care participation. CS for SB 716, imposing mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offenses committed by registered sex offenders or predators, and CS for SB 1084, expanding protections against non-consensual dissemination of intimate images and digitally forged intimate images, were also approved. The committee then approved CS for CS for SB 1604, a corrections package that would require prepayment of court costs for certain inmate lawsuits, shorten the limitations period for confinement-condition claims, allow consecutive sentencing in some cases, and revise mental health treatment procedures in correctional settings. Members discussed constitutional concerns and access-to-courts issues, but the bill was reported favorably. CS for CS for SB 1804, which creates a capital offense for trafficking a child 12 or younger or a mentally incapacitated person for sexual exploitation, drew extensive debate and opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Floridaans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; despite objections about constitutionality and ethics, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 1838, expanding protections for court officials against tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for CS for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which creates a statewide VTE registry and requires blood clot screening and training in hospitals and care facilities. Members and public witnesses spoke in strong support of the blood clot bill, including family members and survivors. Finally, the committee reported favorably CS for SB 1252, directing FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database, CS for SB 468, increasing penalties for fleeing or eluding law enforcement and allowing vehicle impoundment, CS for SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility for correctional officers and correctional probation officers, and CS for SB 572, the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which was amended to refine enclosure, confiscation, euthanasia, and insurance requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are many state officials who are also covered by this requirement, and we also then collect the
• the uh from candidates also then collect the uh from candidates who<00:20:37.640><c> file</c><00:20:
• </c> uh right now we ask them to collect uh right now we ask them to collect collect<00:48:20.160><c>
• He could file and collect and return his $10 every time he accumulates $10 and makes two payments.
• He could file and collect and return his $10 every time he accumulates $10 and makes two payments.

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um would have been collected on tickets.
• </c><00:20:26.280><c> revenue</c> we saw the actual collected revenue we saw the actual collected revenue
• Those are we create the the evidence.
• And really what it does is collect all of the data.
• We have does is collect all of the data.

Bills: HF4906 , HF3971 , HF4777 , HF2109 , HF2988

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: property tax, tax refund, taxpayer relief, Minnesota taxation, one-time payment, taxation, property valuation, Tax Court, evidentiary standards, Minnesota Statutes, disparity reduction, aid payments, local government, funding, Fillmore County, education funding, managed forest land, classification, forest management plan, agricultural land

Transcript Highlights:

• But I do appreciate learning from you all because this body, because of our collective differences, makes
• The fees that will be collected are counted for the budget to take care of the agencies that will see
• The fees that will be collected are counted for the budget to take care of the agencies that will see
• They go through collections. We go through all kinds of process of trying to get them collected.
• The bill also provides that evidence obtained in violation of these provisions is inadmissible.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We support collective action toward a sustainable, resilient, equitable local food system here in the
• We can't start making good policies that are moving us forward until we start collecting that data.
• , and then start collecting that.
• The evidence is incontrovertible.
• Extensive scientific evidence confirms they experience pain and suffering.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture opened its first hearing by outlining procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, written testimony options, and the plan to hear 27 bills in docket order. The committee then took testimony on H.11/S.53, a resolve promoting equity in agriculture, with advocates from the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, Southeastern Mass Agricultural Partnership, and urban farming organizations describing racial and economic disparities in farming, lack of data on BIPOC farmers, barriers to land and capital, and the need for a commission to collect information and recommend policy changes. Committee members asked questions about the importance of data collection and future policy development, and the bill was repeatedly urged to be reported favorably out of committee. Testimony also supported H.118, which would create a special commission to examine the strengths and sustainability of the Commonwealth’s emergency food network. The Amherst Survival Center described serving 1.6 million meals last year and explained that food pantries are now functioning as essential parts of the state’s food system while relying heavily on donations, volunteers, and unstable funding. Members discussed the need for a more holistic look at food security infrastructure. The committee then heard H.119/S.60 on climate change impacts on farms and fisheries, with regional planners and farm advocates describing flood damage, rising costs, canceled federal climate-smart funding, and the need for direct state support for adaptation, resilience, and infrastructure improvements. The committee also heard testimony on H.125/H.142/S.65, a healthy soils bill, from landscape professionals who said construction sites often leave poor or stripped soil and that the bill would require better post-construction soil standards to support healthier landscapes and reduce long-term maintenance and environmental problems. Finally, the committee took extensive testimony on H.127, which would prohibit aquaculture of octopus for human consumption. Supporters, including legislators, scientists, veterinarians, students, and animal welfare advocates, argued octopus are highly intelligent and sentient, cannot be farmed humanely, and that octopus aquaculture would create environmental harms such as waste runoff, pressure on wild fish stocks, and ecosystem disruption. No votes were taken during the hearing; the bills were heard and testimony was received.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1697 would delay collective bargaining, as requested by the governor in a signing letter, AB 1697
• will delay the implementation of AB 692 to allow for more time to address the concern around collective
• Ample evidence shows that behavioral health providers are not incentivized to join insurance networks
• Ample evidence shows that behavioral health providers are not incentivized to join insurance networks
• Ultimately, AB 2511 is a costly data-collection exercise, does not meaningfully expand access to care

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with testimony largely focused on worker protections, AI, workplace safety, and employment access. AB 1697 would delay implementation of AB 692 on employer debt traps by one year to allow more time to address collective bargaining concerns; it drew support from the NFL and no opposition. AB 2495 would expand prohibitions on immigration-related threats used by employers to intimidate workers, with strong support from immigrant-rights, labor, and legal aid groups describing coercion and fear among undocumented and new-arrival workers; it advanced on a divided roll with some members voting no or not voting. AB 2511 would require DIR to study pay disparities between behavioral health and medical-surgical providers, with supporters arguing low reimbursement drives provider shortages and opponents warning of duplicative reporting, proprietary-data concerns, and added administrative burden; it was moved forward to the Health Committee. AB 2157 would make permanent the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund Pilot Program, with displaced refinery workers and labor/environmental groups supporting the bill as a needed transition tool; it passed to Appropriations. AB 2530 would require 60-day notice for public-employer layoffs, relocations, and closures, narrowed by amendment to public agencies; supporters said public workers deserve the same notice protections as private-sector workers, while some opposition sought clarification, and the bill passed to Judiciary. The committee also heard AB 2488, which would direct DIR and UC to study Cal/OSHA inspector vacancies and recruitment pathways. Supporters, including a laid-off refinery worker and WorkSafe, said chronic understaffing has weakened enforcement and that experienced workers could fill the gap; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2545 would create an EDD study of AI-related workforce displacement and safety-net impacts, with labor and tech-policy supporters warning of large-scale job loss and the need for data to plan for unemployment and other public programs; business groups opposed the reporting and task-force structure but acknowledged the issue, and the bill passed to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 2027 would restrict employers and vendors from using worker data to train or deploy AI systems that replace workers, while limiting collection to what is necessary for employment administration; supporters framed it as a privacy and anti-displacement measure, and opponents argued the definitions were too broad and could hinder useful workplace technologies. The bill advanced to Privacy and Consumer Protection. Later, AB 2095, the Fair Chance Act bill, was presented to clarify and strengthen rules limiting conviction-history screening in hiring, including written explanations and protections for applicants seeking promotions or new roles with current employers. Supporters described ongoing discrimination against people with records and the need for a real second chance, while opponents said the bill was too broad, added burdens, and could conflict with existing statewide rules. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on AB 2095, but the discussion centered on balancing reentry opportunities with employer concerns about individualized assessments and safety-based hiring decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, again, you mentioned collecting data.
• You know, data collection is something that's really important.
• collect more data.
• You know, data collection is something that's really important.
• Charges above this amount cannot be collected.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Recycling works when the materials collected are used by manufacturers to make new products.
• Recycling only works if the stuff collected for recycling becomes new products again.
• Some districts will be able to collect more in LEA.
• If you had a $2 levy out there and you collected, $625 is the number.
• That fund would be funded entirely through penalty collection. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several bills. HB 2675 would eliminate a number of state accounts and transfer remaining balances from two accounts to the general fund, while also changing how revenues in the Salary Insurance Contribution Increase Revolving Account are deposited; OFM testified in support and there was no public opposition. SHB 1903 would create a statewide low-income energy assistance program through the Department of Commerce, funded by the general fund and Climate Commitment Act revenues; supporters said it would address Washington’s underfunded and uneven energy assistance system, while utilities and rural co-ops raised concerns about cost, reporting burdens, utility authority, and implementation details. SHB 2384 would require actuarial reviews for certain continuing care retirement communities with prepaid life care contracts; residents and consumer advocates supported the added transparency, while providers opposed the added review costs and said they already pay for actuarial work. SHB 1982 would expand the ability of tribal members to vacate convictions tied to treaty rights, add OPD representation and a tribal liaison position, and then an amendment was described that would remove the liaison position and eliminate the fiscal impact; the sponsor and OPD supported the bill, and testimony emphasized correcting past treaty-rights convictions. The committee also heard SHB 2389, a broad juvenile justice bill that would expand suspended disposition options, create midpoint review hearings, reduce some robbery ranges, and address juvenile rehabilitation capacity and transfers. Supporters argued it would reduce racial disparities, favor community-based rehabilitation when safe, and improve outcomes, while prosecutors, sheriffs, counties, judges, cities, victim advocates, and some tribal law enforcement warned it would weaken accountability for serious violent offenses, increase court and local government burdens, and shift costs without funding. Several witnesses and the bill sponsor discussed proposed amendments, including removing presumptions and the mid-sentence review. The committee then heard SHB 2439, which would raise tobacco and vapor product license fees, create a responsible vendor program, add manufacturer certification and enforcement provisions, restrict certain products and sales practices, and redirect tobacco tax revenue to public health, cancer research, and youth prevention accounts; public health and prevention groups supported it, while retailers and industry representatives opposed the fee increases and some of the new restrictions. Finally, HB 2681 would sharply increase cannabis license fees and index them to inflation; OFM supported the change as aligning fees with program costs, while cannabis businesses and associations opposed or sought changes to the fee structure and CPI indexing. The committee also heard a briefing on SHB 2215, which would require the Caseload Forecast Council to forecast SNAP and state food assistance caseloads in light of upcoming federal cost-sharing changes; no questions were raised at the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• medical education, she is passionate about obesity care, emphasizing sustainable lifestyle changes and evidence-based
• Sustainable lifestyle changes and evidence-based treatments to support long-term health.
• We strive to represent workers in all that we do, and we appreciate so much your collective action on
• We strive to represent workers in all that we do, and we appreciate so much your collective action on

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through introductions of guests and several ceremonial recognitions. Guests included a local justice of the peace, the doctor of the day, McDonald’s representatives visiting for the All-American Games, and AFL-CIO members at the Capitol. Senators also read proclamations recognizing Lobo Week in support of the Mexican gray wolf and McDonald’s All-American Games Week, highlighting the economic and charitable impact of McDonald’s in Arizona and the importance of wolf recovery efforts. During floor business, Senator Gonzalez submitted a statement criticizing Senate rules as undemocratic and unconstitutional, particularly in relation to House Bill 2072 and broader chamber procedures. The Senate then took up a motion by Senator Mesnard to reconsider House Bill 2874, which had previously passed third reading. After a division vote, the motion to reconsider passed 16-12. House Bill 2874, relating to campaign contributions and expenses, was then brought back for third reading. Senator Gonzalez spoke against the emergency clause, arguing there was no emergency and objecting to the bill’s reconsideration process. The Senate voted to pass HB 2874 on reconsideration without the emergency clause and ordered it transmitted to the House. The chamber also noted that Senate Bills 1125 and 1415 had been transmitted to the governor, announced upcoming caucus and committee meetings, and adjourned until Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• But now in the law it has that the best evidence rule is it has that the best evidence rule is it has
• of assessments, and for the collection of assessments, and for the collection of taxes.
• for the performance of any duty collect for the performance of any duty collect for the performance
• and the allocation of the collection and the allocation of the collection and the allocation of the
• You know, this circumstantial evidence. You know, this circumstantial evidence.

Bills: HJR 1 , HB 9 , HB 21 , HB 26 , HB 30 , HB 37 , HB 116 , HB 630 , HB 879 , HB 913 , HB 1151 , HB 1318 , HB 1593 , HB 1899 , HB 2703 , HB 2809 , HB 2890 , HB 2970 , HB 3307 , HB 3526 , HB 5092 , SB 128 , SB 203 , SB 317 , SB 393 , SB 397 , SB 644 , SB 731 , SB 801 , SB 913 , SB 1071 , SB 1073 , SB 1086 , SB 1087 , SB 1232 , SB 1250 , SB 1262 , SB 1285 , SB 1310 , SB 1359 , SB 1444 , SB 1483 , SB 1705 , SB 1782 , SB 1861 , SB 1897 , SB 1944 , SB 2023 , SB 2043 , SB 2082 , SB 2133 , SB 2215 , SB 2297 , SB 2298 , SB 2309 , SB 2532 , SB 2549 , SB 2566 , SB 2617 , SB 2619 , SB 2639 , SB 2688 , SB 2696 , SB 2717 , SB 2790 , SB 2841 , SB 2847 , SB 2850 , SB 2857 , SB 2891 , SB 2919 , SB 2928 , SB 2972 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 1 , SB 260 , SB 1506 , SB 1637 , HB 37 , HB 109 , HB 334 , HB 1130 , HB 1238 , HB 1327 , HB 1610 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 1689 , HB 2081 , HB 2809 , HB 2884 , HB 2890 , HB 4215 , HB 5092 , HCR 7 , HCR 75 , HCR 86 , HCR 92 , HCR 93 , HCR 126 , SB 644 , SB 1086 , SB 1230 , SB 1310 , SB 1361 , SB 1553 , SB 1778 , SB 1790 , SB 2344 , SB 2460 , SB 2515 , SB 2600 , SB 2747 , SB 2751 , SB 2785 , SB 2790 , SB 3047 , SB 3048 , SB 3050 , SB 3051 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 3056 , SB 3058 , SB 3061 , HJR 1 , HB 1130 , HB 1689 , HB 2884 , HB 1393 , HB 2559 , HB 26 , HB 3012 , HB 1327 , HB 109 , HB 1238 , HB 2890 , HB 9 , HB 4215 , HB 2970 , HB 37 , HB 1899 , HB 1593 , HB 2607 , HB 3526 , HB 3810 , HB 5092 , HB 388 , HB 2809 , HB 1151 , HB 913 , HB 3307 , HB 879 , HB 116 , HB 12 , HB 2703 , HB 1610 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 30 , HB 21 , HB 2712 , HB 2692 , HB 1633 , HB 1318 , HB 685 , HB 630 , HB 4753 , HB 2742 , HB 303 , HB 198 , HB 1535 , HB 762 , HB 148 , HB 1520 , HB 5061 , HB 2286 , HB 1606 , HB 1041 , HB 132 , HB 11 , HCR 7 , HCR 75 , HCR 86 , HCR 92 , HCR 93 , HCR 126 , SJR 36 , SJR 50 , SJR 63 , SCR 12 , SCR 39 , SB 2023 , SB 1310 , SB 2972 , SB 1073 , SB 2847 , SB 2532 , SB 2619 , SB 62 , SB 666 , SB 847 , SB 284 , SB 854 , SB 810 , SB 1505 , SB 583 , SB 507 , SB 1434 , SB 1772 , SB 2016 , SB 1122 , SB 731 , SB 397 , SB 508 , SB 1436 , SB 287 , SB 1882 , SB 393 , SB 1791 , SB 209 , SB 2429 , SB 511 , SB 2309 , SB 1085 , SB 1975 , SB 2717 , SB 1262 , SB 636 , SB 2056 , SB 884 , SB 1200 , SB 1845 , SB 2458 , SB 801 , SB 3014 , SB 3013 , SB 758 , SB 2797 , SB 2076 , SB 2876 , SB 1640 , SB 1449 , SB 1181 , SB 1359 , SB 1234 , SB 2926 , SB 2841 , SB 1528 , SB 2891 , SB 1854 , SB 317 , SB 1250 , SB 2082 , SB 1285 , SB 1237 , SB 2819 , SB 629 , SB 2608 , SB 1602 , SB 2009 , SB 2460 , SB 867 , SB 640 , SB 1698 , SB 2680 , SB 2994 , SB 2747 , SB 913 , SB 1071 , SB 1086 , SB 1087 , SB 1483 , SB 1444 , SB 1553 , SB 1556 , SB 1703 , SB 2133 , SB 2297 , SB 2298 , SB 2622 , SB 2955 , SB 2334 , SB 1861 , SB 2043 , SB 1367 , SB 2857 , SB 128 , SB 3058 , SB 2044 , SB 2363 , SB 2565 , SB 1888 , SB 3048 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 3036 , SB 3057 , SB 3056 , SB 3043 , SB 3050 , SB 3063 , SB 3035 , SB 1790 , SB 1778 , SB 203 , SB 3061 , SB 2799 , SB 2790 , SB 2688 , SB 2515 , SB 1230 , SB 2522 , SB 2639 , SB 2459 , SB 3051 , SB 2655 , SB 2251 , SB 1884 , SB 2617 , SB 2751 , SB 2928 , SB 2566 , SB 1897 , SB 1749 , SB 1361 , SB 2549 , SB 2553 , SB 2919 , SB 1782 , SB 1705 , SB 2696 , SB 1944 , SB 2215 , SB 644 , SB 1232 , SB 2850 , HB 45 , HB 48 , HB 1261 , HB 1465 , HB 1778 , HB 2596 , HB 5238 , HB 33 , HB 1188 , HB 210 , HB 1022 , HB 1458 , HB 5560 , HB 1240 , HB 1950 , HB 2027 , HB 2768 , HB 2788 , HB 2791 , HB 3146 , HB 3698 , HB 3699 , HB 1893 , HB 3700 , HB 4850 , HB 4187 , HB 1397 , HB 4885 , HB 4804 , HB 3751 , HB 3611 , HB 2775 , HB 2061 , HB 2003 , HB 1729 , HB 1242 , HB 791 , HB 2029 , HB 647 , HB 2522 , HB 4738 , HB 3033 , HB 3594 , HB 3474 , HB 2563 , HB 2802 , HCR 90 , SJR 87 , SB 2969 , SB 3073 , SB 2497 , SB 1798 , SB 2603 , SB 2607 , SB 781 , SJR 34 , SB 17 , SB 314 , SB 455 , SB 509 , SB 529 , SB 541 , SB 693 , SB 761 , SB 963 , SB 1023 , SB 1968 , SB 2122 , SB 2308 , SB 2371 , SB 2420 , SB 2544 , SJR 87 , SB 1285 , SB 1359 , SB 2857 , SB 3073 , HJR 1 , HB 9 , HB 21 , HB 116 , HB 913 , HB 1151 , HB 1899 , HB 2970 , HB 3307 , SB 1073 , SB 1310 , SB 2532 , SB 2619 , SB 2847 , SB 2972 , SB 128 , SB 2043 , SR 393 , SR 511 , SR 518 , SR 520 , SB 314 , SB 455 , SB 761 , SB 1023 , SB 2122 , SB 2371 , SB 2420 , SB 17 , SB 509 , SB 644 , SB 1230 , SB 1361 , SB 1778 , SB 1790 , SB 2460 , SB 2515 , SB 2747 , SB 2751 , SB 2790 , SB 3048 , SB 3050 , SB 3051 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 3056 , SB 3058 , SB 3061 , HB 37 , HB 109 , HB 1130 , HB 1238 , HB 1327 , HB 1610 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 1689 , HB 2809 , HB 2884 , HB 2890 , HB 4215 , HB 5092 , HCR 7 , HCR 75 , HCR 86 , HCR 92 , HCR 93 , HCR 126 , SB 1086 , SB 1553 , HJR 182 , HB 4 , HB 24 , HB 46 , HB 101 , HB 146 , HB 170 , HB 214 , HB 305 , HB 426 , HB 549 , HB 551 , HB 594 , HB 722 , HB 824 , HB 1119 , HB 1579 , HB 2215 , HB 2458 , HB 2530 , HB 2674 , HB 2713 , HB 2974 , HB 3015 , HB 3151 , HB 3180 , HB 3221 , HB 3359 , HB 3556 , HB 4088 , HB 4211 , HB 4396 , HB 4413 , HB 4580 , HB 4609 , HB 4864 , HB 5088 , HB 5154 , HB 5263 , HB 2294 , HJR 182 , HB 4 , HB 24 , HB 46 , HB 101 , HB 146 , HB 170 , HB 214 , HB 305 , HB 426 , HB 549 , HB 551 , HB 594 , HB 722 , HB 824 , HB 1119 , HB 1579 , HB 2215 , HB 2458 , HB 2530 , HB 2674 , HB 2713 , HB 2974 , HB 3015 , HB 3151 , HB 3180 , HB 3221 , HB 3359 , HB 3556 , HB 4088 , HB 4211 , HB 4396 , HB 4413 , HB 4580 , HB 4609 , HB 4864 , HB 5088 , HB 5154 , HB 5263 , HB 2294

Keywords: constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not collect any additional data. Privacy is at the forefront of this bill.
• evidence or information, espionage, and other things, and go back to them.
• Those restrictions, do they happen with any evidence that they've done something wrong?
• So just take the four corners of the bill as evidence.
• and convincing evidence.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and received several announcements and recognitions before moving to legislation. Members honored the UTRGV chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, educator Jessica Lopez, the late Jennifer Maddenly, Jeanette Valdez Duran and Mobile Blessings from the Heart, TAMAC’s 50th anniversary, and journalist Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement. The chamber also adopted motions allowing committees to meet, setting a local and consent calendar, and suspending posting rules for a Public Health hearing on SB 2721. The House then considered a long series of Senate and House bills on third reading, with many passing by wide margins. Measures included SB 906 on Ysleta del Sur Pueblo peace officers; SB 1229 designating Veterans Memorial Highway; SB 855 on foster care medical costs; SB 703 on massage therapy licensing and trafficking protections; SB 1025 on tax-increase ballot language; SB 1119 on water park liability; SB 1080 on provisional occupational licenses for people with criminal convictions; SB 929 on lien deadlines; SB 1355 on liquor sales credit disputes; SB 2231 on fee waivers for college applications; SB 1877 on Public Utility Commission data access; SB 1998 on pediatric preceptorships; and several House bills on topics such as bond forfeiture notice, health workforce planning, civil commitment counsel, expunction of contempt records, consumer transactions, nuisance birds, theft venue, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, military-related tuition, utility recovery mechanisms, psychedelic therapy studies, teacher retirement funding transparency, election procedures, juvenile parole eligibility, and more. Some bills drew notable debate or amendments. HB 200, creating a “second look” parole process for certain juvenile offenders after 20 years, prompted extended discussion about serious offenses and juvenile rehabilitation before passing 102-4. HB 2298 on AI-assisted cancer detection passed 85-62 after the sponsor emphasized “augmented intelligence” and physician oversight. HB 5247 on utility capital recovery saw a failed amendment to require ratepayer credits, then passed. HB 3045, a franchise tax exemption for spaceport operators, initially failed 73-74 but later passed after verification showed a 70-69 result. SB 2420, regulating app stores and mobile software distribution, was postponed for later consideration after substantial debate over age verification responsibilities. Several other measures were postponed, including SB 888, SB 552, SB 17, and SB 2420, while HB 1128 on election judges carrying concealed handguns passed 85-57 after a withdrawn point of order.

Transcript Highlights:

• Collected data for census at local facilities.
• Importantly, the bill does not require the collection of any new data.
• DOC already collects this information, but does not share it in full. HB 525...
• DOC already collects this information, but does not share it in full. HB5-12.
• DOC already collects this information, but does not share it in full.

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this data collected that we're asking to do, is this data collected in any other state that has a
• And this is not based on data collected in Tampa or anywhere else, but actually the data collected right
• Based on the data collected, I ask you to turn to tab 3.
• Why not collect more data? Why not collect more data? You ready for me to answer? Yes, I'm sorry.
• Yeah, I mean, is it possible to collect—go ahead.

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 886 by Rep. Orgeron, which would make seasonal catch totals and related reporting for the commercial menhaden fishery publicly available by carving out an exception to confidentiality rules. The author said the bill was intended to align with the original intent of prior reporting legislation and to ensure the public can see how much menhaden is being taken from Louisiana waters. Supporters, including Louisiana Wildlife Federation, CCA, charter captains, and recreational anglers, argued the fishery uses a public resource and that transparency is needed for policymaking. Opponents said they did not object to transparency in principle, but one speaker asked that size-sampling data be removed, arguing it has no scientific value and is already handled through NOAA and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Council processes. The committee reported HB 886 favorably without opposition. The committee then heard House Bill 855, also by Rep. Orgeron, which would establish a 22-foot depth requirement for the commercial use of purse seines in the menhaden fishery. The author said the bill was based on a state-funded bycatch study showing red drum bycatch rises sharply in shallow water and that the current quarter-mile buffer is insufficient, especially in nearshore areas where recreational fishing and sensitive habitats are concentrated. Supporters emphasized the public trust nature of menhaden, the economic value of recreational fishing, and concerns about bycatch, beach fouling, and localized depletion. Several speakers cited the bycatch study, public comments opposing the recent reduction from a half-mile to a quarter-mile buffer, and the belief that deeper-water fishing would reduce impacts on redfish and other species. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries staff and the study’s principal investigator, Dr. Scott Rayburn, answered questions about the current buffer rules, enforcement, and the science behind the 22-foot threshold. They explained that the recent reduction to a quarter-mile buffer came from a commission directive and that the department had investigated complaints but found no violations. Dr. Rayburn said the 22-foot figure came from modeling red drum bycatch as a function of depth and that the study focused on red drum because of its economic and social importance, while not analyzing every species in the same way. Opponents of the bill, including West Bank Fishing and Ocean Harvesters representatives, said the rule of three is a standard confidentiality concept, argued the bill should not be framed as anti-transparency, and urged removal of the size-sampling provisions. The committee heard extensive testimony but no final action on HB 855 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is the same standard of proof as a preponderance of the evidence.
• The evidence that's presented by the county is exactly the same evidence that's presented to civil service
• Only if they have collective bargaining and they agreed to it in a collective bargaining agreement.
• Only if they have collective bargaining and they agreed to it in a collective bargaining agreement.
• on Jail Standards is required to collect from county jails.

Bills: HB240

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: tax exemption, farm products, ad valorem taxation, tax code, producer ownership

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of county and regional government bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097 would let counties that opt in give sheriff’s deputies an alternative appeal route for certain discipline cases through an independent hearing examiner instead of the Civil Service Commission. The author and a CLEET witness said it would be faster, cheaper, and fairer; questions focused on why the bill was needed and whether sheriffs could already use such a process. No opposition testified, and the bill was left pending. HB 4642 drew extensive testimony after the author said it was prompted by a death involving an out-of-state jail contract. The bill would require counties contracting with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas-like jail standards and oversight provisions. The author, a former detainee held in Louisiana, his wife, and a Texas Jail Project advocate described poor conditions, lack of accountability, and multiple deaths of Texans housed out of state. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards director said five counties are currently housing 1,251 Texas inmates out of state, mostly because of staffing shortages, and said the bill would give the commission more authority and oversight. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4350, which would allow peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face retaliation risks and should have protections similar to judges and other officials; a title industry witness cautioned that redaction should not compromise the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687 would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet specified training and certification standards, and HB 4105 and HB 4205 would give Harris County preferences in construction contracting and require pay parity for comparable law enforcement ranks within the county, respectively; all drew support from county officials and were left pending. HB 5403 would repeal a special rule requiring Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs to get commissioners court approval for commissary disbursements, and it was also left pending. Later, HB 4462 would let elected county officials in large counties choose outside counsel in civil cases involving them, rather than relying solely on the county attorney. Supporters argued this would reduce conflicts of interest and protect officials’ reputations; questions centered on who qualifies and whether it could conflict with county interests. Finally, HB 240 would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively requiring all commissioners to be present before a new tax rate can be adopted; supporters framed it as a taxpayer protection, while the Conference of Urban Counties opposed it as giving one member a de facto veto and potentially disrupting the budget process. Both bills were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Collectively, these proposals reflect the legislators' deep commitment to ensuring access, equity, and
• ABA is the most effective and evidence-based treatment for people with...
• ABA is the most effective and evidence-based treatment for people with autism.
• It dismisses national evidence as... ...here are alarming.
• It dismisses national evidence as well, including a study from California showing that paying spouses

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing focused on two broad sets of issues: home- and community-based care, and school-based Medicaid reimbursement. In the morning session, legislators and advocates testified on bills affecting children and disabled enrollees, including proposals to clarify rate-setting for home health and home care services (H. 767/S. 870), allow family members and spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth (H. 1394/S. 886 and related bills), extend MassHealth coverage for applied behavior analysis and other therapies beyond age 21 for adults with autism and developmental disabilities (H. 1351/S. 871), and protect medically fragile children by improving access to continuous skilled nursing. In the later portion of the hearing, testimony shifted to a bill to improve MassHealth reimbursement for schools (S. 862), with speakers describing the school mental health crisis and the need to reinvest Medicaid funds directly into school health services. Witnesses on the home care rate-setting bill said current reimbursement methods are opaque and outdated, contributing to workforce shortages, unfilled shifts, long waitlists, and patients remaining in hospitals longer than necessary. Home care providers and trade groups argued the bill would not set rates directly but would require more transparent methodology and fuller consideration of real costs such as wages, benefits, taxes, training, and technology. On caregiver bills, many family members and provider organizations described the financial and emotional strain of caring for disabled or medically fragile relatives, especially when parents, spouses, or guardians are barred from being paid caregivers. They argued the bills would recognize existing unpaid care, help families remain at home, and reduce reliance on more expensive institutional care. Advocates for adult ABA coverage said services remain medically necessary after age 21 and that ending coverage at that age creates an inequitable “cliff” for MassHealth members compared with those with private insurance. For the PACE/community care bill, elder law attorneys and PACE advocates said current MassHealth income rules force some older adults with modestly higher incomes to spend down to $542 per month, making community living unrealistic and pushing people toward nursing homes. They supported changing the eligibility structure to a premium-based approach that would allow more people to remain in the community. On the school Medicaid bill, advocates said schools are providing effective, preventive mental health care, but reimbursement currently flows to municipalities rather than directly back to school health budgets, limiting districts’ ability to hire and retain staff. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and several witnesses requested favorable reports on the bills.